General utility compact



March 3, 1953 GENERAL UTILITY doMPAcT 2 Sl-lEETS-Sl-1EET 1 Filed Oct.12, 1946 hiiiil n n .n-unanann,

INVENTOR:

ALFRED MoscH.

BY W I ATTORNEY.

March 3, 1953 A. MOSCH 2,630,212

GENERAL UTILITY COMPACT Filed Oct. 12. 1946 2 'SHEET S-Sl-XEET 2INVENTOR. A LFRED MOSCH.

A1101? Ex Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GENERALUTILITY COMPACT Alfred Mosch, New York, N. Y.

Application October 12, 1946, Serial No. 703,077

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new general utility compact and thepresent application is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No.642,615 filed January 22, 1946, now Patent No. 2,558,265.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of an allpurpose compact which contains, ready for use and without any wastespace, a great number of utensils such as knives, bottle opener, nailfile, keys, screw driver, flashlight, lighter, and/ or rouge,combination lipstick, nail polish, perfume container and dispenser,powder box, mirror, hair pins, sewing kit,-etc., in fact all itemsusually contained but difficult to be found in a ladys handbag, wherebythe size of the compact is only a small fraction of that of such ahandbag, and fits in a mans vest pocket.

An object of the invention is the provision of a compact as set forthabove comprising a cellular body member and a plurality of magazines forthe utensils removably and exchangeably fitted into the cells of saidbody member. Articles of different shapes and sizes may thus be adaptedto be inserted into the compact.

The body member has a centrally located cell or cells and has laterallyextending holding means adapted to receive laterally located magazineswhich are particularly suitable for holding articles having an operatingand a rest position such as bottle opener, nail file, keys, knife,manicuring tools, etc. A plurality of these articles is swingablyconnected with one magazine and each article can be swung individuallyinto and out of the magazine which serves as a handle for the utensilsif removed from the holding means which form part of said body member.As set forth above, the magazine with its tools may be inserted into thelateral holding means which permit swinging of the tools into and out ofoperating position; in that case the whole body member serves as ahandle or the utensils. A plurality of connectors or locks are swingablyconnected with a pin forming part of a lateral magazine. These lockshave pockets into which one end of a tool, or key, etc. can be inserted.

Washer means are disposed between the locks and have a catch portionfitting into a recess or opening of the inserted end of a utensil andpreventing its removal from the pocket in its lock member. The pocketsare provided with notches individually cooperating with resilient meanswhich form part of the magazine. Depending on the notch which is engagedby the resilient means the respective utensil is in rest or in operatingposition. Alternatively, the pockets and washers 2 may be omitted andthe utensils may swing directly on the pin. In that case one end of theutensils is provided with notches for the purpose set forth above.

The lateral magazine comprises a partly resiliently depressable top wallhaving a catch means which fits into a suitable aperture in the centralbody member. Byv depressing the depressable top wallportion, which isprovided with a thumb rest for this purpose, the magazine can be slippedinto said holding means until the catch snaps into its aperture orrecess whereby the magazine is firmly connected with the body member.

If the central cell in the body member opens into a small side of saidmember no cover means of appreciable size are needed as, for example,the business end of a lighter closes the opening. If the cells open intothe large fiat surface, a cover is provided. This cover has flapportions extending over the small side of the body member where thelateral magazines are located and partly covering the lateral utensilswhen they are in rest position. The flap portions have marginal portionsassisting in holding a utensil in operating position. I

As a modification, the flap portion may form part of a pocket into whicha unified lipstick, nail polish, perfume container and dispenser may beinserted. The last mentioned cosmetic unit also forms an object ofthe'present invention. I

Furtherand other obiects of the present invention will be hereinafterset forth in the accompanying specification and claims and shown in thedrawings which, by way of illustration, show what I now consider to bepreferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention; t

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device, the section being takenalong lines III-1II in Figs. 2

and 5;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the device with the locks and tools or utensilsremoved;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the device with one utensil in operatingposition;

Fig. 6 is a top View like Fig. 5 showing the location of the magazinesand several utensils swung out;

Fig. '7 is a top view of a modified central maga-i zine; 4

Fig. 8 is a side view of the magazine shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view of a lateral magazine;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the magazine illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged top view of a lock and washer member with aportion of an inserted tool;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side view of the lock and washer membersaccording to Fig. 11 separated;

Fig. 13 is a front view of a modified device according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a, side view of the device illustrated in Fi 13;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the device accord ing to Figs. 13 and 14;

Fig. 16 is a top view'of the device with the cover in open position;

Fig. 17 is a front view of the device with the cover open and thecentral compartment partly open; 7

Fig. 18 is a side view of the device with the cover open;

Fig. 19 is an illustration of acombination lip-f stick, nail polish andperfume container according to the invention; and

Fig, 20 is a top view'ofan individual utensil.

Like parts are designated by like numerals in all figures of thedrawings. 7 p

The device comprisesa body member I having laterally projecting 'ilaps2. The central per-tion of member I has. acavity or cell 3 accommodating-a magazine 4 holding articles such as a battcry 5, a lighterG'orithe like. Other magazines 8 are inserted individually between pairsof flaps or'hol'dersZ which have bent marginal portions 9 preventinglateral movement of the magazines 8.

The magazines 8'which are inserted in cells I formed by theholdih'gmeans" 2, constitute a longitudinal'po'cket which is open'at one sideandsubstantially closed on' the other. Its'top plate 8' iscurved in onone side for more'con' venient access to theut'enlsil's irithemagazine.Therear wall of the magazine has a'cut-out' II intowhich' theend'porti'o'n I canbe pressed. This end portion has a protrusion I2which fits in acorresponding aperture in theupper flap portion of memberI. By pressing portion I0 into cut-out I I catch is removed from theslotand themagazine 8is free to be pulled out of holders 2:

For holdingth'e utensils a pin16connects the two confiningplates of themagazine 8and ex tendsthrough holes I'Iof a plurality of pockets orlocks I which are separated by washers I 8 and have cavities forreceiving anen'd portion of a utensil I9. The-washers I 8 have a bentoverportion I8 fitting into a correspondingly shaped opening in utensilI9 and preventing removal of the latter from its cavity in its lock I5.A portion of the rear wall of magazine 8 has cut-outs to form a combcom'posed'jof plate springs having bent end portions l3fittin'g intocorrespondingly shaped recesses I4 of locks I5 and of washers I8.Depending on the'rece'ss engaged by the retainer I3 a lock and theutensil therein is in rest or one of two operating positions.

The battery 5 is electrically connected with the light'bulb 2I and theswitch 20. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified magazine containing a battery 5" and lighter B of different configuration. In this casethemagazine consists of a plurality of individual magazines which aredisconnectably connected, each magazine containing a utensil.

The modification of the device according to Figs. 13 to 20 has a cover22 hinged at 23 to the body member 24. The cover has a flap portion 25extending over the utensils 2'! resting in the lateral magazine 26 andleaving an opening through which a utensil selected for use protrudeswhen inoperating position.

The utensils 21 of which one is shown individually in Fig. 20 swingabout pivot means 28 connecting the upper and lower plates of thelateral magazine and have recesses 29 corresponding to the'recesses I4of the locks used in the modification according to Figs. 1 to 12.Resilient retainers 30 formed in the rear wall of magazine 26 areadapted to snap into said recesses and hold the utensils in the desiredpositions. The utensils are further confined, when in operatingposition, between the edges 3| of the body memberand 32 'of the cover.

Th'e'other' side of the body member 24' may have a trough-like cavityfor receiving a pocket 33 formed in the other lateral flap portion 34 ofcover 22 and containing a lipstick or a combination of a lipstick 35,nail polish 36, perfume container 3'! and dispenser 38', forming oneunit as shown in Fig. 19. This unit may also be inserted in 'oneof thecavities provided for utensils 5 and Sand shown in Fig. 3. The nailpolish container 36 may be rigidly connected or integral with thelipstick container 35 and the perfume container 31 may be removablyconnected with the polish container. The perfume container has anextension 31' forming a nail polish applier and extending into container36.

Apowder box 39 may be hinged to the body member 24 and fit into a recesstherein. This recess maybe much deeper than the powder box andconstitute compartment 40 for such articles as sewing'kit, hair pins,etc. A mirror 4| is provided inside cover 22. A cavity 42 in the bodymember 24 may contain rouge. A further cavity disposed symmetrically tocavity 42 contains a flashlight battery 5I.

While I believe the above described embodiments of my invention to bepreferred embodiments, I wish it to be understood that I do not desireto-be limited to the exact details of design andconstruction shown anddescribed, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled inthe art.

I claim:

1. A general utility compact comprising a body member provided with acell and having laterally protruding holding means including catchmeans, a magazine member holding a utensil removably inserted in saidcell, another magazine member removably inserted in said holding meansand including catch means snappingly engaging said first catch means, aplurality of utensils having end portions individually swingablyconnected with said other magazine member, notch means connected withsaid end portions, said other magazine member comprising a resilientwall portion having an end portion comprising means individually fittinginto said notch means and individually holding said utensils inpredetermined positions.

2. A general utlity compact comprising a body member'provided'with acell and having laterally protruding holding means including catchmeans, amagazine member holding a utensil removably inserted in saidcell, another magazine member removably inserted in said'holding meansand including catch means snappingly engaging said first catch means, aplurality of pocket members individually swingably connected with saidother magazine member and individually holding a utensil, notch meansindividually connected with said pocket members, said other magazinemember having a resilient wall portion having an end portion comprisingmeans individually fitting into said notch means and individuallyholding said utensils in predetermined positions.

3. A general utility compact comprising a body member having a centraland a lateral cavity and laterally protruding holding means, magazinemeans removably connected with said holding means, a plurality ofutensils individually swingably connected with said magazine means andhaving an operating and a rest position, a cover means hinged to saidbody member and having side portions extending individually over saidmagazine means and utensils connected therewith when they are in restposition and over said lateral cavity, and a utensil disposed in each ofsaid cavities.

4. A general utility compact comprising a body member having a centraland a lateral cavity and laterally protruding holding means, magazinemeans removably connected wtih said holding means, a plurality ofutensils individually swingably connected with said magazine means andhaving an operating and a rest position, a cover means hinged to saidbody member and having a side portion extending over said magazine meansand utensils connected therewith when they are in rest position, andhaving another side portion comprising a pocket means fitting into saidlateral cavity when said cover means is closed.

5. A general utility compact comprising a body member having a centraland a lateral cavity and laterally protruding holding means, magazinemeans removably connected with said holding means, a plurality ofutensils individually swingably connected with said magazine means andhaving an operating and a rest position, a cover means hinged to saidbody member and having side portions extending individually over saidmagazine means and utensils connected therewith when they are in restposition and over said lateral cavity, and a utensil disposed in each ofsaid cavities, one of said utensils being a unified lipstick and nailpolish and perfume container and dispenser.

6. A general utility compact comprising a body member having a cavityand laterally protruding holding means, magazine means removablyconnected with said holding means, a plurality of utensils individuallyswingably connected with said magazine means, and a unified lipstick andnail polish and perfume container and dispenser receivable in saidcavity.

7. A general utility comp-act comprising, in combination, a body memberprovided with a cell and having laterally protruding holding means, amagazine means removably inserted in said holding means, a utensildisposed in said magazine means, a second utensil, and a magazine memberfor a third utensil removably connected to said second utensil andforming a unit therewith When connected thereto, said unit being adaptedto be inserted as a whole in said cell.

8. As an article of manufacture, a unified lipstick and nail polish andperfume container and dispenser, said nail polish container beingconnected with said lipstick container, said perfume container beingremovably connected with said nail polish container and having a nailpolish appiier ii'itegral therewith and extending into nail polishcontainer.

ALFRED MO SCH.

REFERENCES CETED The iollowlng references are or" record in the

